Black-headed Honeyeater

Alternative names: Black-capped Honeyeater, the Black-cap or the King Island Honeyeater.

Melithreptus affinis

Photo by Pearly_Shells
South Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia, March 2005

Identification

12-14cm

• Black head and throat
• Fine black bill
• Crescent-shaped bare skin over the eye, which is pale blue to white
• Olive-green to brown upperparts
• Off-white underbody

Immature birds - brown head and bill, faint yellow tinge to throat.

Distribution

Endemic to Tasmania (except south-west), King and Flinders Islands (Bass Strait)

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

Subspecies Alisteri is not accepted by all authorities.^[2]

Habitat

Dry forests, usually below 1000 m, sometimes sub-alpine and alpine habitats up to 1200 m, dense shrubby understorey, wet forests, open woodlands, coastal heathland and areas of low shrubs. Occasionally in urban parks and gardens and in orchards.

Behaviour

Monogamous.

Diet

The diet includes insects, nectar and fruit.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Avibase
3. Birds in Backyards

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black-headed Honeyeater. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-headed_Honeyeater

External Links

Search for photos of Black-headed Honeyeater in the gallery